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The smallpox vaccination in the 1970s has left many people with a scar on their upper arm. The dent in the skin is from the vaccination method used at the time.
That’s why smallpox vaccination left a scar
Thanks to a nationwide vaccination campaign in the 1970s and 1980s, there is no longer any danger of contracting smallpox today. The scar is therefore most visible in people over 40.
- Because the vaccine was not administered with a syringe, but with a vaccination gun.
- In this method, the skin was scratched to cause an infection that stimulates the body to make antibodies against smallpox.
- The small injury has caused a swelling. Similar to an insect bite.
- After the swelling went away, a small dent was left in the skin.
- Do not confuse the scar from the vaccination with a pockmark. This is caused by the pustules that appear with the disease.
- To relieve the dent in your skin, you can use home remedies for scars.
Worth knowing about smallpox
Despite the eradication of smallpox, there are some interesting facts about the disease.
- Pox is caused by the variola virus. The last recorded cases occurred in Somalia, Africa, in 1977.
- The virus can only be transmitted by humans. Infection occurs through physical contact, but also through the air we breathe.
- The most noticeable symptom of smallpox is the numerous pustules on the body. These first fill with water, then with pus. At the end of the disease, the pustules dry up and fall off.
- At present, vaccination is not recommended because there is no threat.
- Since the end of smallpox vaccination, however, fewer and fewer people are immune to the variola virus that causes smallpox. With the unusual clustering of monkeypox cases in western countries in May 2022 due to a related pathogen, the question arises: do we now need another broad vaccination campaign or is it enough for certain groups?
- There are no vaccines approved specifically for monkeypox in Europe. However, experts assume that conventional smallpox vaccines offer some protection.
